From space travel to the Discovery Channel, these barbecue hot spots have been highlighted by the best on the Brews & Q’s Trail through Georgia’s Historic Heartland, stretching between Athens, about 30 miles north of I-20 on GA State Route 129, and Perry, just south of Warner Robins on I-75.
For barbecue that’s literally out of this world, don’t miss Fincher’s Barbecue in Warner Robins. Fincher’s was the first ever barbecue to be taken into space by NASA, as it was specifically requested by area native, U.S. astronaut Sonny Carter, in 1989 on the space shuttle Discovery.
If you’d like a side of celebrity with your main dish, nearby Macon is home to Satterfield’s Restaurant and Catering, offering up their famous barbecue since 1983. Not only was it featured on an episode of The Travel Channel’s “Taste of America,” proprietor John Satterfield McCord has appeared nationwide on a commercial for Kingsford charcoal.
Just north of there, don’t miss Old Clinton Bar-B-Q in Gray, where TV personality Mike Rowe crawled into the smoker for its once-monthly cleaning on his popular Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs.” Definitely cleaner, but just as much fun, Wild West BBQ & Family Restaurant in Monroe served as the shooting location for Nashville music duo Florida Georgia Line’s 2013 “Round Here” music video. And while you’re in Covington, where the popular CW drama The Vampire Diaries has filmed, be sure not to miss Bradley’s Bar-B-Que, where you can get a uniquely “vamped out” barbecue sandwich.
Featuring over 30 locally owned locations in 14 counties, it won’t be difficult to taste and sip your way through these regional barbecue restaurants, breweries and growler shops, provided you’re prepared to wear your stretchy pants.
Start your journey by picking up the Brews & Q’s brochure. Outlining each destination with a phone number and address for your convenience, it also serves as your passport on the trail. Get it stamped at each place and once you’ve visited a third of the sites (or 10 locations), you can mail in your passport to receive a free Brews & Q’s t-shirt.
Free printed copies of the passport and map are available at participating locations, regional visitor information centers in participating counties, Georgia Visitor Information Centers and online via the ExploreGeorgia.org brochure room.
For more information, visit www.VisitAthensGA.com, or call 1-800-653-0603.